The Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO) has once again set the stage for transformative dialogue with its 2024 Community Empowerment Speaker Series. This remarkable event, free to the public, is not just a series of talks; it’s a beacon of hope and intellectual stimulation for Detroiters, both in the inner city and its surroundings.
The series kickoff took place at DABO in the heart of the city and the room was filled, all to hear from Dr. Michael Eric Dyson who opened the series with an invigorating session touching on various topics ranging from the value of education, the controversary surrounding Harvard University’s former president Claudine Gay, music, and how Detroit shaped and ignited the flame that burns within him for his people. Known for his eloquent rhetoric, Dr. Dyson, a professor, gifted writer, and prominent media personality, captivated the audience with his insights on social change and the power of collective action.
Michael Eric Dyson, first and foremost a Detroit native, embodies the city’s unyielding spirit in every aspect of his acclaimed career. This isn’t just about his impressive resume as an academic, author, ordained minister, and radio host; it’s about how the grit and rhythm of Detroit are etched into his every word and idea. Dyson has delved deep into the complexities of African American culture and politics, authoring over twenty books on figures like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Marvin Gaye, and even dissecting the lyrical prowess of Nas’s ‘Illmatic’.
But strip away the accolades, and you find a man whose heartbeat syncs with Detroit’s own. It’s Detroit that sharpened his intellect, Detroit that infused his voice with both passion and reason. For Dyson, his Detroit roots aren’t just a part of his past; they’re the compass guiding his future. “Detroit is a gritty place, people can tell you’re from Detroit because of how you carry yourself, a certain kind of swag, a certain kind of self-confidence, a certain kind of unapologetic Blackness that is hard to duplicate,” said Dyson. “Ain’t nothing like Detroit for me.” Whether he’s analyzing Barack Obama’s presidency, exploring the nuances of Tupac Shakur’s lyrics, or unpacking the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, his insights are a reminder: at his core, Dyson is Detroit, through and through.
Photo: Dr. Michael Eric Dyson signing his book Entertaining Race
“I wish I could thank my 5th grade teacher Mrs. James, for what she did for me,” shared Dyson as he began to dive into the makings of him and his intellectual and in-depth love for Black history and its people. “In the 5th grade she was teaching us Black history – that wasn’t a thing to be done back then. I came up in a time when teachers cared about their students. I got a PhD from Princeton because of that Black woman teaching us Black history in the 5th grade.” For Dyson, education is fundamental for the empowerment of vulnerable people, “The purpose of education is to first be enlightened so that the value and quality of your life is immeasurably enhanced because you understand the world in which you live.”
Dyson went on to share with the audience that it was at nine years old when the hunger rose within him after he heard the announcement of Martin Luther King Jr., being shot and after seeing his father’s reaction he immediately asked his mother which one is King Jr., and then his mother played King’s famous I Have a Dream speech, “I had goosebumps and was like who is this because I never heard of him,” Dyson said. “So, I went out and got all of King’s speeches on 45s and I sat and listened to him – that was deeply influential for me.”
Kenneth Cochran, Coleman Young, Dyson’s pastor Rev. Dr. Fredrick George Sampson of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church were all a part of Dyson’s influence, “I would see Sampson in the morning, Charles Gilchrist Adams in the afternoon, and on the radio, I’d listen to Rev. C.L. Franklin in the evening that was an incredible lineup,” Dyson said. “To have all of that Black excellence and of course, hearing Aretha Franklin, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Supremes sangin’ laid a fertile environment that was extremely important and that made me who I am today.”
This year’s theme, focusing on how entertainers can lead social change, resonates deeply within a city that’s no stranger to the transformative power of the arts. “The best way for folks to be enlightened is to hear enlightened folks speak to them,” said Rev. Horace Sheffield III. “Most people have to pay to go to these spaces but right here in this neighborhood they can come and see some of the most prolific minds in the nation.” The lineup for the coming months is as diverse as it is impressive:
February 7, 2024: Corey Minor Smith, a figure synonymous with advocacy, brings her legal expertise and authorial perspective to the fore.
March 20, 2024: Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician-scientist, educator, and policymaker, will share her invaluable insights.
April 3, 2024: Chris Smalls, founder of the Amazon Labor Union, will discuss the intersection of labor rights and social justice.
May 15, 2024: Jerika Duncan, CBS News Weekend Anchor, is set to enlighten attendees with her experiences in journalism and media.
June 26, 2024: The series will culminate with Donnie Simpson, a radio DJ and TV/media personality, known for his charismatic influence.
As the series progresses, each speaker will bring their unique perspective, adding layers to the rich tapestry of ideas and conversations. The anticipation within the community is palpable, and rightly so, as these discussions promise to spark new ideas, challenge existing paradigms, and ultimately, empower the citizens of Detroit to be the change they wish to see.
“With the community speaker series, we try to bring people who are on the cutting edge and who have a history of influencing Black thought who are not only thinkers but doers, getting people to motivate us to understand that we can do something about our situation, we just need to know how,” Sheffield III shared.
The DABO Community Empowerment Series is more than just a sequence of events; it’s a crucial platform for intellectual and social exchange. It offers a rare opportunity for the community to engage directly with thought leaders, activists, and changemakers.
Founded in 1979 by the late Horace Sheffield, Jr., DABO carries a weight of historical importance that’s palpable in its walls. Sheffield Jr., a titan of civil rights and community activism, left behind a legacy that transcends time. His life’s work as a union worker, politician, journalist, and relentless advocate for human rights continues to echo through the corridors of DABO.
Photo: Rev. Horace Sheffield III interviews with journalist Ebony JJ Curry
“The most significant thing about DABO is that my father founded it,” said Sheffield III. “It was rooted in his vision of having a mechanism to create functional unity in the Black community and getting Black folks to work together in their own intrinsic self-interest.”
Sheffield Jr.’s multifaceted career had a profound impact on Detroit and the nation. As a newspaper columnist for the Detroit News and the Michigan Chronicle, he wielded the power of the pen to advocate for black empowerment. His voice reached far and wide as a moderator of a talk show for the local CBS outlet and a host on radio and television. As the founder of DABO and a director of the Detroit NAACP, his contributions were monumental.
Today, his son, Horace Sheffield III, carries on this legacy, ensuring that DABO remains not just a space, but a dynamic hub of intellectual and community engagement. The Community Speaker Series is a living tribute to Sheffield Jr.’s vision. It’s a space where ideas are not just shared but are born, where conversations spark action, and where the community unites to continue the fight for rights and recognition.
The significance of this speaker series lies in its ability to act as a revolving door of ideas, welcoming thoughts from diverse corners and sending out ripples of change into the community. Each speaker brings a unique perspective, contributing to the rich tapestry of discourse that Sheffield Jr. championed. It’s a place where bridges are built between the past and the future, between ideas and action.
For Horace Sheffield III, DABO is more than just a building or an organization; it’s a living legacy, a testament to his father’s life’s work. “The most important thing for me is when people walk away from this place, they’re motivated to do something themselves,” he shared. Each event in the speaker series is a step forward in the journey that his father embarked upon – a journey of empowerment, equality, and intellectual liberation.
The 2024 Community Speaker Series at DABO is more than just an intellectual exercise; it’s a celebration of a legacy, a gathering of minds, and a forge for the future. As Detroiters gather in this historic space, they’re not just listening to speakers; they’re participating in a tradition of empowerment and a continuing fight for justice that Horace Sheffield Jr. began years ago.
“This series is not just about talking; it’s about igniting a movement within our community, one speaker at a time,” said Sheffield III. And indeed, if the inaugural session with Dr. Dyson is anything to go by, Detroit is in for an intellectually enriching and empowering journey.
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